Hedge Funds Bolster Stakes in Unilever

Increased Holdings

Aprio Wealth Management LLC made a significant 18.8% increase in its holdings of Unilever PLC (UL) during Q4, acquiring 1,388 additional shares. Their holdings are now valued at $498,000, a testament to their confidence in the company's outlook.

Other hedge funds have also shown enthusiasm for UL. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC increased its stake by an impressive 393.5%, bringing their ownership to 533 shares. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. and Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. have also established positions in UL, showing a strong belief in its potential.

Overall, 9.67% of UL's stock is owned by hedge funds and institutional investors, further demonstrating their favorable view on the company.

Unilever Price Performance

UL opened at $55.06 on Tuesday, boasting a market cap of $136.44 billion. Its price-to-earnings ratio is 16.58, while the price-to-earnings-growth ratio stands at 1.80. The beta of 0.49 indicates low volatility compared to the market.

Dividend Increase and Analysis

Unilever recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.4755, a positive increase from the previous dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was November 8th, and this increase represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis, translating to a dividend yield of 3.45%.

Several research firms have weighed in on UL. Erste Group Bank maintained a "hold" rating, while Royal Bank of Canada downgraded the stock to "underperform." StockNews.com also downgraded the rating to "hold." Despite these mixed opinions, the average target price among analysts is $61.75.

About Unilever

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company operating across various segments, including beauty and wellbeing, personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream. Its product portfolio spans from hair care and skincare to home cleaning products, vitamins, and ice cream.